The Fantasy Authority

IDP Beat : Week 7

Welcome back to TFA’s IDP Beat! It’s getting to the point of the fantasy season where you need to have your roster set for the postseason push and all of these players below can help for a postseason push. Injuries have decimated defensive players and lots of options are available on waiver wires if you need to bolster your squad.

Defense doesn’t seem to be much of a thing overall this season but if you need a streaming defensive option, check out this article. Follow me on Twitter and let me know if you have any questions regarding IDP start/sits or waiver options!

Defensive Lineman

Da’Shawn Hand, DT, Detroit Lions

Hand’s overall numbers are slightly inflated due to fumble recoveries in Weeks 4 and 5. However, the numbers aside from that stat do point to a safe floor, especially in DT required leagues. He has been gathering an average of four tackles per game and has a sack in each of the previous two games played. While this doesn’t sound like much, Hand’s game is improving and the disruptiveness he brings is showing on tape and the numbers will improve. I love his game and his floor is safe, while the ceiling will improve over time.

Jarran Reed, DT, Seattle Seahawks

Reed is on bye this week and could be a casualty if teams need to add players. Watch and grab Reed if he hits the waiver wire or if he’s already there. Reed is averaging more than five tackles a game and has four sacks through the first six games. Offensive lines have to focus on Frank Clark’s relentless pass rush and Reed is the benefactor as second “fiddle” on the line in the Northwest. He is another safe floor option with the potential upside of a big game that could help your IDP squad get a weekly win.

Da’Ron Payne, DT, Washington Redskins

Payne has acclimated to the NFL game quickly in his first season and has some juicy matchups in the upcoming weeks. He had a quiet game in Week 6 and may be off the radar or dropped – get a claim in or pick him up. Payne has posted tackles to keep his floor numbers safe and a few sacks as well to provide the upside you need. His game is getting better and faces offenses that have allowed more than 17 sacks in four of the next five weeks.

Linebackers

Jamie Collins, LB, Cleveland Browns

There was a time not long ago that Collins was considered a top 10 linebacker. The talent is there but Cleveland has a deep linebacker corps. Joe Schobert is set to miss time and Collins has been seeing an increase in playing time (up to 90% of snaps in Week 6). With Schobert on the shelf, Collins could be a valuable bye week fill-in capable of 10+ tackles and a sack here and there. Collins and Genard Avery – another possible grab in deep leagues- will see an increase as Christian Kirksey fills in Schobert’s huge cleats.

Vincent Rey, LB, Cincinnati Bengals

Nick Vigil is set to miss a month and Rey will fill in while he is out. I expect an uptick in Preston Brown’s production and if Vontaze Burfict can stay on the field – always a big IF – he will be the LB1 in the Queen City. So where does that leave Rey? He’s always been a reliable producer when on the field with a knack for making a big play occasionally. It appears Burfict is already facing trouble and if he is suspended again, Rey will produce LB2 number at a minimum. He’s a great bye week filler with potential to man your LB spot for at least a month.

Thomas Davis, LB, Carolina Panthers

It seems Davis has been producing at linebacker since we had a George Bush in the Oval Office. He is a steady if unspectacular option that is likely available due to him returning from suspension. In his first game back, he tallied 6 tackles and a few pass deflections to give him a respectable stat line. Davis has always been a LB2 behind Luke Keuchly and has been a steady rock that will contribute 8-10 tackles nearly every week. He’s a perfect option to help you if you have been hit by the byes or injuries.

Defensive Backs

Jordan Lucas, S, Kansas City Chiefs

Lucas played 100% of defensive snaps versus the Patriots in Week 6 and notched 10 tackles (4 solo). He graded out at 67.6, above average in PFF grading and appears to have earned more playing time going forward. This is great news, as the Kansas City secondary has been getting a heavy workload in shootout after shootout. If Eric Berry or Eric Murray start, it could push Lucas out of the rotation. But, I think he has earned a spot and is definitely worth monitoring going forward. Lucas will likely see playing time for at least this week if you need a spot start in a deeper league.

Doug Middleton, S, New York Jets

Marcus Maye is set to miss time with a broken thumb and Middleton was a stellar fill-in while Maye missed the few few weeks of the season. The last start was Week 3 for Middleton and he tallied 11 tackles versus the Browns. He definitely showed the ability to produce in Maye’s absence. Middleton could provide a jolt to your IDP secondary if needed to get through bye weeks. He is poised to be a starter for at least the next couple weeks.

That is all I have for Week 7, thank you so much for reading the TFA IDP Beat! If you get a chance – another IDP must follow and a guy that has meant a lot to me as I learned IDP is Ryan Sitzmann. His information is top notch and he is one of the first sources of IDP knowledge I found! Be sure to check out all the great content coming out daily from The Fantasy Authority!